Masham – St. Mary the Virgin

The tower dates from the middle of the 12th Century, while the rest of the church has gone through a number of additions and alterations.  The upper part of the tower is work carried out at the end of the 14th Century – the clerestory may date from this time.  The spire, made of stone was rebuilt in 1856.

5 window cleristory

Showing evidence of sundial above the South Porth door

Blocked window in the East end of South Aisle.

View of East end of church.

East end, showing relative structures of nave, and North and South aisles which were added in the 14th Century.   It is believed transepts had been added in the 13th or maybe late in the 12th Century.

Note the round arch to the North aisle window and its ‘rougher’ stone work.

Door to North Aisle.

Window at West end of North aisle and slit window of the North side of the tower.

West door of the tower.

Unfortunately, this remnant of round shaft which was evidently richly carved, is now so worn that it is not possible to discern the original details – though they have been interpreted as showing Christ and the Apostles and perhaps baptisms.

Inside

Above the chancel arch is a large painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds.  It is believed to have originally hung at Belvoir Castle where it was damaged by fire (Belvoir Castle in Rutland is some 115 miles from Masham, North Yorkshire).

Nowadays, the church of St. Mary the Virgin has an alter placed just in front of the chancel arch.   The chancel seems to be used for more intimate ceremonies.

Looking back through the church from just in front of the principal altar in the chancel.  Of interest is the fact there are more arches in the arcade to the North aisle than to the South aisle.
The function of the clerestory has been made particularly effective in this church because the ceiling has been painted white.  I am more used to seeing dark wood panelling to the ceiling which has the effect of absorbing much of the light made available by the clerestory windows.

The pitch of the former 12th Century nave can be seen high on the west wall of the nave, which is essentially the East side of the tower.

Stained Glass

Most of the tracery within the windows has been replaced in styles of former centuries.  The glass is relatively modern – Victorian or more recent.

Window to commemorate the Millennium

Window in the West tower

East window in the chancel

Reredos

Reredos – Left Panel

Reredos – Right Panel

Alter Detail (18th Century) – Centre Carving

Alter Detail – Right side carving

Fragments of Anglo-Saxon work are placed in the South aisle.

Monument to Sir Marmaduke Wyvill who died in 1617 but the monument was erected in 1613 on the death of his wife, Magdalen.

Organ

Bust of Sir Abstrupus Danby, who died in 1727.

An old church trunk… and some intriguing holes in the South wall of the chancel.

There is some evidence of earlier colouring on this pillar of the North arcade of the nave.

References

British History Online
British Listed Buildings

—-Stephen—-